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How to Solar Power Your Home Security

Although stopping thieves with the power of sunlight may sound like something a superhero would do, special powers are not required in order to power your home security with solar energy products.  At Solar Us Shop, we care about the safety of our customers in the same sense that we care about preserving the environment. This is why we believe solar-powered home security is one of the best investments you can make for both your property and your planet.  Why power your home with solar?  Now before we get into the nitty gritty details about specific solar-powered home security devices, keep in mind that powering your entire home with solar is one of the quickest ways to reduce your property's...

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The Four Biggest Myths about Solar Energy

Depending on who you talk to or where you get your news, you may be under the false impression of one or more of the many myths that surround solar energy today. As a technology and industry that has been rapidly evolving over the last 20 years, this is unfortunately pretty common – and it can be tough to discern what is true in the growing world of solar power versus what has been exaggerated, or in some cases, made up out of thin air. So in an effort to clear up misinformation about solar panels for our readers, this article will highlight four of the most prominent misconceptions about solar energy today in order to bust common myths and...

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How much power do solar panels produce?

If you have been searching all around the internet to understand how much power solar panels can produce, there is a reason why an easy, singular answer to this question is difficult to find.  In reality, there are nearly a dozen different factors that dictate how much power a solar panel can produce at any moment in time, over the course of a day, or throughout its entire lifespan.  Below, we will break down solar power piece by piece to explain everything you need to know about solar electricity generation, before sharing the tools you can use to calculate your panels’ potential solar production.  Factors that Influence Solar Power Production Internal, external, natural, and man-made – let’s take a look...

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Star Power: A Look at Solar Energy in Pop Culture

We think about solar energy just about every day here at Solar Us Shop, but the truth is, this is a subject that is rarely on the mind of the average person. Although we could talk for hours and hours about the importance of sustainability and sustainable development, unfortunately, most people simply don’t care enough about solar energy to dedicate their lives (let alone a conversation) to learning about its capabilities or helping the technology grow.  So, in an effort to make renewable energy more exciting, let’s look at the some of the larger-than-life instances in which solar panels and solar power have made appearances in film, television, and popular culture.   Solar Energy in Film Looking through the last few...

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Out to Sea: Connecting Renewable Energy and the Ocean

While looking for global solutions to climate change and energy scarcity, consider the very thing that gives Earth its little blue planet identity: the ocean.  Covering about 70% of the planet’s surface, the ocean has plenty of space and many different resources that allow it to host renewable energy generation in many different capacities.  In this article, we’ll explore under the sea, as well as on top of it, to showcase five of the most popular marine renewable energy technologies in use and development today.  Floatovoltaics and Off-Shore Solar At the Solar Us Shop, we are obligated to talk about solar before anything else, as our absolute favorite renewable resource. Cheap, easy to deploy, emission-free, and long-lasting, there are so...

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The Power of Solar and Wind Energy Together

Will the future be powered by the sun and the wind? Although this sounds like wishful thinking in 2023, there is also a lot of evidence that a solar and wind-powered future may actually be a reality. Over the last 10 years, the amount of solar power in the United States has increased by over 600% while wind energy capacity has also tripled in size. With no signs of slowing down anytime soon, solar and wind are leading the way together toward a more sustainable future for both individuals and the world at large. In this article, we’ll look at the power of wind and solar together to illustrate how to combine the technologies and unlock the benefits that a...

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Exploring PV Solar Production Beyond the Panel

  When you think of solar energy, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  Barring the sun itself, if you’re like most people, you will immediately think of photovoltaic (PV) panels when the idea of solar is introduced.  While there are certainly no incorrect answers here, you may be interested to know that there are many new and interesting ways to generate solar power both now and in the future.  For DIY installations and massive commercial projects alike, renewable energy production is taking many forms in the 2020s, so we’ve developed this guide to keep you up to date with the latest and greatest solar power innovations “beyond the panel.”  Rigid vs Thin Film Solar Panels  While classic...

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Solar Energy, Solar Panels

Working in the Solar Industry in 2023

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in the solar energy industry?  Well if you aren’t one of the hundreds of thousands of people who are actively doing so in the United States today, exploring a career in solar is now easier than ever before.  Over the last few decades, solar power has experienced massive growth in the US, in terms of both capacity installed and industry size. With a wide variety of roles that support residential, commercial, and utility-scale development, the Solar Energy Industries Association estimated that more than 255,000 Americans worked in solar in 2021. With our eyes set on a sustainable future, in this article, we’ll look all around the solar industry to...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Sustainable Energy

What is a Microgrid?

  Whether or not you’ve been paying attention to the news in the last decade, you may have heard the term “microgrid,” and not thought twice about what it may mean.  Although microgrids have been around for a long time, public interest in the technology is spiking, largely due to the lowering costs and increased availability of renewable energy generation around the world.  In this high-level guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about microgrids to demonstrate their value and showcase their role in a more sustainable global future.  Defining Microgrids  Compared to the large, interconnected electric utility grids in the United States, “micro” grids are essentially a smaller version of the way that most people receive their power. ...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?

At Solar Us Shop, we often get asked one question in many different ways: “How many solar panels do I need?” There are a lot of different answers to this inquiry, all of which depend on a few key variables. These include What is actually being powered (i.e. a home, RV, business, etc.) The size and efficiency of the solar panels The location of the installation And more     So while some products, such as our popular outdoor solar barn lights include the exact number of panels necessary to power themselves, most things in life require a bit more calculation.   In this article, we’ll share a few quick tips and tricks to help you determine how many solar panels you...

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Community Solar: Renewable Energy for All

Most people can agree that solar energy is a great way to generate emission-free electricity. but unfortunately, personal solar panel installations are not always a viable option. For example, residential solar panels must be installed by homeowners, so renters are often out of luck. Likewise, those that live in an apartment building or on a heavily shaded property lined with large trees may not have enough usable roof space for a cost-effective solar energy system.  That’s where community solar comes in.  At Solar Us Shop, we love all forms of solar, from handheld devices to massive utility-scale arrays. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how community solar works in order to help more people connect with renewable...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Industry, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Solar Air Conditioning: How to Stay Cool with Green Electricity (At Home and On the Go)

  Believe it or not, that glowing ball of fire in the sky that we call “the sun” can actually be used to cool down your home with the right technology.  It’s true: solar-powered air conditioning is a real thing that is happening right now, all over the world – in both small and large-scale applications.   And while heat capture has long been a part of solar-assisted thermal cooling systems, modern photovoltaic (PV) electric solar panel systems can now be used to power every appliance in your home, from the toaster to your air conditioning system.  Solar Air Conditioning for Homes Costing United States residents approximately $29 billion annually, running the air conditioning at home is typically done at the...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Energy

Solar Energy & Electric Vehicles - Summer 2022

  Whether you’re watching television during a commercial break or are out on the road somewhere this summer, the presence of electric vehicles in the United States is at an all-time high and certainly more visible than ever.  Of course at Solar Us Shop, we couldn’t be more excited as, when in use, electric vehicles produce less overall emissions than traditional combustion chamber engines. With a greener future ahead, it is actually a bit shocking when you realize that cars are now being powered by the sun, via photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems, all around the world.  Last summer we answered the question, “Can solar panels charge EVs?” to showcase exactly how small PV systems can power personal vehicles. This...

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Electric Vehicles, Solar Energy, Solar Panels

Top Four Tips to Save Money on Electric Bills in 2022

  We cannot deny that the rate of electricity is increasing day by day. Everyone cannot survive with the increase in the inflation rate. We need to study some ways to control the cost of electricity. Electricity is an essential part of life, and every electronic appliance is wasted without the connection of electricity. The rate of electricity is at its peak. If you want to save your money and use electricity, go for solar energy. There are different types of solar lights depending on your need. Other than this, you can limit the timings and control electricity usage. Try to hand the laundry and dry the clothes in the direct sunlight instead of using the washing dryer.  Below are...

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1 comment Climate Change, Global Warming, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy

Gear up for a Solar Powered Summer

  Aah… the summer. Longer days, warmer weather, and a calendar full of vacations, BBQs, and outdoor get-togethers.  As Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, it's time to begin thinking about what gear you’ll need to make sure that the fun never stops, and at Solar Us Shop, we’d like to encourage our readers to look upward and power this season with solar energy.  Solar Powered Products for Summer 2022 Although the White House called 2021 the “Summer of Solar”, there is no reason to stop while we're ahead. From utility-scale projects to handheld renewable energy devices, solar is everywhere in 2022, and we are thrilled to be along for the ride.  With 12 hours of sunlight on...

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Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Sustainable Energy